MatthewTreeTree
Flush
What stakes if you don't mind me asking?
Why is it so hard to get a game? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter KarateMaster72
- Start date
tones215
Sitting Out
This is a crowd of non-poker players (more a friendly social gathering). I was planning on starting out with .25/.50 with a $25-$100 buy in.
Rhodeman77
Straight Flush
You need to find actual poker players in your area. Relying on just your friends to want to play poker on a regular basis is going to be fruitless.
You are going to have to do some networking to find the local players. Check Meetup.com to see if there is a local poker group. The local VFW hall will probably have games if you know any members. Others have suggested bowling alleys and pool halls as good sources as well.
You are going to have to do some networking to find the local players. Check Meetup.com to see if there is a local poker group. The local VFW hall will probably have games if you know any members. Others have suggested bowling alleys and pool halls as good sources as well.
I host a game every other weekend, sometimes will go two weekends in a row if circumstances will allow. We have been playing for a couple of years, and I cannot remember the last time we added a player to the group. I have a list of 10 or so "regulars", of which on any given weekend at least 7 will show up to play. They are the "A List". Those who show up regularly are on the A List and get first crack at seats when we play.
Then I have the "B List", which is made up of players that like to play, but for whatever reason they have trouble attending on a consistent basis. That list has 6 players on it, and that list is always good for one or two players to fill out a table as may be needed.
Then there is the "C" list. The C list is comprised of those players who like to play, get along well with every one of my players but are unreliable as far as attendance. I rarely go to the C list to fill spots.
I truly believe that the secret to keeping the attendance strong is that each and every player be the type of person that gets along with everyone. I do not tolerate douchebaggery, and since the first day of playing the #1 rule is " This is a friendly game". We play low stakes (.25/.50), so nobody is going broke. We are competitive, and will absolutely torment a player for a bad decision for WEEKS after they make that decision. Sometimes longer...
I have a nice table and chips, and provide hot dogs and soft drinks but my players don't seem to care about those things. They just are looking to let off a little steam for a few hours with people that don't rely upon them for anything or expect anything of them. There has literally never been an argument at my table over the game or anything else. Find the right people. Everything else will fall into place.
Then I have the "B List", which is made up of players that like to play, but for whatever reason they have trouble attending on a consistent basis. That list has 6 players on it, and that list is always good for one or two players to fill out a table as may be needed.
Then there is the "C" list. The C list is comprised of those players who like to play, get along well with every one of my players but are unreliable as far as attendance. I rarely go to the C list to fill spots.
I truly believe that the secret to keeping the attendance strong is that each and every player be the type of person that gets along with everyone. I do not tolerate douchebaggery, and since the first day of playing the #1 rule is " This is a friendly game". We play low stakes (.25/.50), so nobody is going broke. We are competitive, and will absolutely torment a player for a bad decision for WEEKS after they make that decision. Sometimes longer...
I have a nice table and chips, and provide hot dogs and soft drinks but my players don't seem to care about those things. They just are looking to let off a little steam for a few hours with people that don't rely upon them for anything or expect anything of them. There has literally never been an argument at my table over the game or anything else. Find the right people. Everything else will fall into place.
If I'm not a poker player why would I want to risk a minimum of $75/night (3 minimum buy ins at your stakes) to go to a social gathering? Maybe if your friends are ballers or like going to casinos to gamble?
My core group have all been friends for years. We have 3 "poker players" and 3 that show up because we're friends. I asked all of them how much the wet are willing to risk each night and set the buy in and stakes based on that. Still, it's still hard to get everyone together because of families, schedules, etc.
Recently I've reached out to more non-poker player friends and I'm hoping they will become regs. I send out invites a month in advance (3rd X day of every month), told them about my fancy Chips, cards and felt, included a menu with feature snack and drink (at my expense), and communicated the stakes "you'll win/lose about $20 on an average night." This invitation reply helped generating interest, we all had a great time, the biggest loser was only down $23, and the new players are looking forward to next time.
tones215
Sitting Out
I don’t think the stakes are having an impact - everyone expressed they were comfortable with this. It’s life/kids/wives that’s been making things difficult.
I guess I'm cheap. Oh wait I spend $1000s on chips
Maybe it's time to look for new players and move the 3 that bailed to your "C list?" One of our other old friends is flakey. I gave him another shot as I thought getting out after lockdown would be on his interest, and he bailed again. I don't bother anymore...
Also given my friends have un vaxed kids at home I made double vax a requirement.
tones215
Sitting Out
I guess I'm cheap. Oh wait I spend $1000s on chips
Maybe it's time to look for new players and move the 3 that bailed to your "C list?" One of our other old friends is flakey. I gave him another shot as I thought getting out after lockdown would be on his interest, and he bailed again. I don't bother anymore...
Also given my friends have un vaxed kids at home I made double vax a requirement.
I can’t start cutting people when I’m still trying to get the game off the ground. I only have so many friends, LOL
Double vax was also a requirement for me. Fortunately, I had zero pushback on that otherwise I would have culled the invite list.
@tones215 have you considered a tournament? What's nice about that, is for non-poker-players, there is a capped loss (if you do a freezeout, or limited rebuys). When people hear cash game, it's a bit scary. What if I bust out and rebuy 10 times? Likely to happen, no. But in a freezeout, you'll only ever lose the buy-in. Set that low, like $15 or $20, and it's easy for casuals to consider that as the cost of entertainment. Frankly, that's basically an unbeatable price. You'll spend far more going anywhere commercial.
My story, which involves a lot of non-player players, the first game was maybe the easiest. It's the later games which are tough. Because the first game is considered a novelty, a party, a gathering of friends. But when people see you setting up another one in a month (or whatever interval), they start to think: "Why? We just did that. I have to wash my hair that night, I'm out!" That's when the going gets tough.
I think the best advice is, don't give up! But it may be a battle for a while.
I'm still working with friends and co-workers, but every month it's tough to fill up, I usually manage to pull 8 out of my butt.
If I was smart, I'd be hitting up bar leagues to find more players like @MatthewTreeTree mentioned. I'll be going down that road most likely soon.
My story, which involves a lot of non-player players, the first game was maybe the easiest. It's the later games which are tough. Because the first game is considered a novelty, a party, a gathering of friends. But when people see you setting up another one in a month (or whatever interval), they start to think: "Why? We just did that. I have to wash my hair that night, I'm out!" That's when the going gets tough.
I think the best advice is, don't give up! But it may be a battle for a while.
I'm still working with friends and co-workers, but every month it's tough to fill up, I usually manage to pull 8 out of my butt.
If I was smart, I'd be hitting up bar leagues to find more players like @MatthewTreeTree mentioned. I'll be going down that road most likely soon.
Tourneys def have always seemed better than cash games in regards to participation in my experience
Shaggy
Full House
I am fortunate that I am a bowler... most of my regulars are from people in my bowling league. I don't think it is easy to just walk in to a bowling alley on league night and try to find poker players, but if you know a poker player that also bowls... he/she may be your ticket to expanding your player pool.
tones215
Sitting Out
Tournaments are a great idea, but I just bought my custom ceramic set and I’m anxious to put them to use.
Maybe a good excuse to buy some more chips, though…never mind the fact I can’t even get a game going.
Maybe a good excuse to buy some more chips, though…never mind the fact I can’t even get a game going.
Yoryuken
Waiting List
I've definitely noticed this with my old group. Could be FOGO (Fear Of Going Out) since Covid.
I’ll play with you….Tournaments are a great idea, but I just bought my custom ceramic set and I’m anxious to put them to use.
Maybe a good excuse to buy some more chips, though…never mind the fact I can’t even get a game going.
tones215
Sitting Out
Sorry, didn’t see your earlier post. I’m in DelcoI’ll play with you….
Old State
Full House
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The is a major point.
Most of my childhood and current neighborhood friends play poker ….but only about 2 of them are what I would call “poker players”. I can maybe get them together once a year…maybe twice. Took me a few years to get them to realize cash poker was better for a “poker night”. Most prioritize other things than poker and it is usually really a drinking night. Also, I have to keep the stakes very low.. .25/50 max with most buying in for $30-40.
The fact NL poker has become the standard doesn’t help either. Regular and frequent games were much easier to maintain even among my “poker” friends back when limit was the norm.
For a healthy regular game I’ve found you need a few things -
- Actual poker players…the type that are comfortable playing in casinos
- A list of at least 14 people to get 7-10 to show
- Stakes that are one notch below what they play in a casino. I have two groups of poker friends with only a couple that cross over. I play $.50/1 $100 buyin with the guys who would play casino $1/2 and $1/2 $220 buyin with the guys who play casino $2/5.
- What ever they say, stay to the stakes described above because it’s all bullshit. As soon as you raise the stakes expect to start getting the “oh something came up I can’t make it” and the game with slowly dissolve or only be played a few times a year.
Rhodeman77
Straight Flush
When I first started having poker games ~20 years ago I started with friends/family and $20 tournaments. We would get 15-18 regularly for a few years. When we bumped the buy-in up to $40 we lost 1/2 the players almost instantly. $20 to hang out and drink a few beers was easy to justify. $40 was too much for the very casual players.
I was fine with that game dying by then. I was tired of low stakes tournaments and had become part of poker network through Meetup.com that I am still part of.Of my original poker game one friend will play at my game a few times per year and play at the casino a few times per year as well.
The rest are like @Old State stated, they will want to play once a year for a $20 tournament where getting drunk and eating are the real reason they came. Poker is just something to do for a few hours as they get drunk.
I was fine with that game dying by then. I was tired of low stakes tournaments and had become part of poker network through Meetup.com that I am still part of.Of my original poker game one friend will play at my game a few times per year and play at the casino a few times per year as well.
The rest are like @Old State stated, they will want to play once a year for a $20 tournament where getting drunk and eating are the real reason they came. Poker is just something to do for a few hours as they get drunk.
This is EXACTLY why I cook and have an open bar!!! Hoping they come more than once a year...
I started a weekly Saturday night game 2-3 months ago. I ended up canceling my first 2 attempts day-of due to lack of attendance but have had a full table ever since. A lot of what I tried may not work for you for a variety of reasons, but here are some of my tactics:
- Look for facebook groups for people new to your area. They are looking to make fast friends and find social activities. If your stakes are friendly to them ($20-$50 buy in?) this is more likely to work.
- Find social media groups for poker players in your area and let them know what you offer. I tell people in such posts that I run 25c/50c, take no rake and charge no fees, and run BYOB unless you want my cheap beer or mineral water. Also, if it's primarily a social game, let this group know that. For people who don't play poker, 25/50c may seems big. To this group, it will seem small and the social dynamic will be a better selling point. People that are used to playing raked 1/2 will be very chill at unraked 25/50c.
- Consider your space and who you're catering to. I want to host a game where women feel welcome so I make sure there's a clean bathroom and don't extend a second invite to people who make sexist jokes, shit-talk their gf/wife constantly, or are particularly awkward around women. I also don't have a TV on with sports. If you want sports people, consider what game(s) are on the TV. If your most desired guests like low stakes and other players keep trying to raise the stakes, don't raise the stakes. If you want it to be newbie-friendly, you will have to be patient with action from time to time as the newbies figure out they need to follow it. If you want the action to move quickly, make sure to let people know in the social media posts that this is not a good first game and that they should have at least a few hours of card room or casino cash game experience.
- On the morning of the event, text everyone to confirm they intend to show up. Don't guilt anyone for canceling if you want them to rsvp in the future. Just find another player or play short handed.
- When someone shows up- especially the first time- give them a warm welcome and get a drink into their hand as soon as possible. It doesn't matter if it's alcoholic or not. People need something to hold onto while scoping out an unfamiliar situation. Introduce them to a person or two and get out of the way while they find their bearings. It's especially cool if you know something about them and introduce them to a person with a similar interest. A lot of people are quiet when they first enter a new situation but will test a few social interactions as the night goes on.
- The next day, text people that showed up and thank them for coming out. Offer them a seat at the next one.
I try to have the table filled with regulars and semiregulars with 1-2 new people each time. This helps me grow my roster of potential players while giving each of those players a taste of what my game is like. I keep a spreadsheet of people that have been to the game so if someone cancels day-of I can find others to invite.
I realize there are a ton of reasons to not post on social media about a poker game including security and not wanting strangers in your home. I have solutions for both of those things (a building that's hard to get into with a lot of cameras and a place to play that is not in my private residence) -- but there's always a tradeoff for having people in your home. If you want to get 6-10 people in your home on a regular basis, a lot more than 6-10 people will need to know about the game.
- Look for facebook groups for people new to your area. They are looking to make fast friends and find social activities. If your stakes are friendly to them ($20-$50 buy in?) this is more likely to work.
- Find social media groups for poker players in your area and let them know what you offer. I tell people in such posts that I run 25c/50c, take no rake and charge no fees, and run BYOB unless you want my cheap beer or mineral water. Also, if it's primarily a social game, let this group know that. For people who don't play poker, 25/50c may seems big. To this group, it will seem small and the social dynamic will be a better selling point. People that are used to playing raked 1/2 will be very chill at unraked 25/50c.
- Consider your space and who you're catering to. I want to host a game where women feel welcome so I make sure there's a clean bathroom and don't extend a second invite to people who make sexist jokes, shit-talk their gf/wife constantly, or are particularly awkward around women. I also don't have a TV on with sports. If you want sports people, consider what game(s) are on the TV. If your most desired guests like low stakes and other players keep trying to raise the stakes, don't raise the stakes. If you want it to be newbie-friendly, you will have to be patient with action from time to time as the newbies figure out they need to follow it. If you want the action to move quickly, make sure to let people know in the social media posts that this is not a good first game and that they should have at least a few hours of card room or casino cash game experience.
- On the morning of the event, text everyone to confirm they intend to show up. Don't guilt anyone for canceling if you want them to rsvp in the future. Just find another player or play short handed.
- When someone shows up- especially the first time- give them a warm welcome and get a drink into their hand as soon as possible. It doesn't matter if it's alcoholic or not. People need something to hold onto while scoping out an unfamiliar situation. Introduce them to a person or two and get out of the way while they find their bearings. It's especially cool if you know something about them and introduce them to a person with a similar interest. A lot of people are quiet when they first enter a new situation but will test a few social interactions as the night goes on.
- The next day, text people that showed up and thank them for coming out. Offer them a seat at the next one.
I try to have the table filled with regulars and semiregulars with 1-2 new people each time. This helps me grow my roster of potential players while giving each of those players a taste of what my game is like. I keep a spreadsheet of people that have been to the game so if someone cancels day-of I can find others to invite.
I realize there are a ton of reasons to not post on social media about a poker game including security and not wanting strangers in your home. I have solutions for both of those things (a building that's hard to get into with a lot of cameras and a place to play that is not in my private residence) -- but there's always a tradeoff for having people in your home. If you want to get 6-10 people in your home on a regular basis, a lot more than 6-10 people will need to know about the game.
How do you vet your new people? Or you don't, considering it's not your house and you are good inviting whoever to your alternate location, which has the good security too?
I like to play at home. The majority of people are good, but I still feel like I'd need to vet someone who's a stranger from a social media group. Not that they are going to stick up the game, but they may drink too much and make a mess, or try to steal something from the house, or just be a jerk and ruin other people's night.
Do you meet them for a drink at a bar? Go hang out at their place first? Or just roll the dice?
It's the clubhouse of the building I live in, so I still need to do some vetting. It's also my table and Paulsons so I don't want anything damaged/stolen.
On facebook, I like to see that people have >100 friends, have their location set to the city where the game is being played, and have family photos or other evidence of "something to lose." A lot of non-inclusive posts is a hint that they may not be a good fit with my relatively diverse game. I like to chat with people on Messenger for a bit to see how it goes. I ask people about their history with poker, how long they've lived in Austin, and maybe a bit about their hometown. One person I was slightly worried about because their facebook images weren't real ended up being one of my favorite guests. I've either had really good luck with my roll of the dice or people are generally decent humans.
One home game host got on a 15 minute call with me and asked me a lot about my history with poker, how I ended up here geographically, why I was interested in his game, etc. This was a $1/$2 game and even though I was being screened I appreciated that he was being selective about who he disclosed details of the game to. A phone call is probably a better method of screening than facebook messenger, but I now have enough people that word of mouth gets me the people I need and I generally don't post on social media any more anyways. Meeting for a drink at a bar seems even better but is way too much effort for me.
Edit: I guess I did have that guy that got too drunk and brought his friend who couldn't help but get in a heated argument with one of my regulars over a political issue. To get the situation to de-escalate, I asked the friend of the new guy if he wanted me to cash him out. He got the hint and mostly shut up about it the rest of the night but those two did not get another invite.
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Yeah I think most people are good!
What types of things are you searching for on these groups? I'm poking around a bit on Facebook and I don't see anything good popping up. People up here are a little more closed I think, and there is just less people too, so that might be a factor.
There's a group called New to Austin and another that's Austin poker something. It helps that I live in a transient city where there are always a lot of new people. I see you're in NH- not sure how to find people who are looking for new things to do around there. Just searching for the nearest large city, filtering for "groups" and seeing what comes up might give you some ideas.
As a women poker player, I can’t help but reply to this. I absolutely love the idea of clean bathrooms and lack of sexist jokes, but I love watching sports.
When you come by, we can put sports on
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